PIA Press Release
Monday, January 09, 2012

ESI researcher lauds SoCot’s hospitality

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Jan. 9 (PIA) -- Louis Lechat, a French eco-tourism specialist and one of the researchers of the Endangered Species International (ESI) recently expressed admiration to the scenic and peaceful province of South Cotabato as well as the hospitality of the residents in the area.

Lechat, along with ESI president, Dr. Pierre Fidence, is in the province to study the “tarsier sanctuary” and eco-tourism development of Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape in the Municipality of Tupi.

“I love this place; the people are friendly and accommodating… My worries and negative impressions are gone,” the local government of Tupi quoted Lechat as saying.

The young researcher has been working for the conservation of critically endangered “gorilla” in the Republic of Congo in Central Africa.

He traveled all the way from France for a first time visit to the Philippines to form part of the research team tasked to do a two-month study and exploration of the habitat of tarsiers in Barangay Linan which are now considered an endangered primate.

“It’s my pleasure to be part of the team and I hope that I can help in developing this place to be one of the tourist destinations in the future” Lechat said.

However, this did not stop local authorities from pushing through with the research as they assured the safety and security of foreigners in the province.

The Local Government of Tupi and the Provincial Government of South Cotabato have deployed some of their staff to form part of the research team and to complement with the manpower requirements.

Mayor Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr. also reiterated his full support to the project as he guaranteed to provide a tight security to ensure the safety of researchers.

ESI is an international conservation group that is committed on reversing human induced species extinction around the world.

"The research is very important to ensure sustainable intervention" Fidenci said. (PGFruylan/PIA-Gensan)